Sirach
25:1 In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful both before God
and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbours, a man and a wife
that agree together.
25:2 Three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their
life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old
adulterer that doateth.
25:3 If thou hast gathered nothing in thy youth, how canst thou find any
thing in thine age?
25:4 O how comely a thing is judgment for gray hairs, and for ancient men to
know counsel!
25:5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to
men of honour.
25:6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their
glory.
25:7 There be nine things which I have judged in mine heart to be happy, and
the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that hath joy of his
children; and he that liveth to see the fall of his enemy:
25:8 Well is him that dwelleth with a wife of understanding, and that hath
not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served a man more
unworthy than himself:
25:9 Well is him that hath found prudence, and he that speaketh in the ears
of them that will hear:
25:10 O how great is he that findeth wisdom! yet is there none above him that
feareth the Lord.
25:11 But the love of the Lord passeth all things for illumination: he that
holdeth it, whereto shall he be likened?
25:12 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of his love: and faith is the
beginning of cleaving unto him.
25:13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart: and any wickedness,
but the wickedness of a woman:
25:14 And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate me: and any
revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
25:15 There is no head above the head of a serpent; and there is no wrath
above the wrath of an enemy.
25:16 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a
wicked woman.
25:17 The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her
countenance like sackcloth.
25:18 Her husband shall sit among his neighbours; and when he heareth it shall
sigh bitterly.
25:19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman: let the
portion of a sinner fall upon her.
25:20 As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife
full of words to a quiet man.
25:21 Stumble not at the beauty of a woman, and desire her not for pleasure.
25:22 A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and
much reproach.
25:23 A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a
wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress
maketh weak hands and feeble knees.
25:24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, and through her we all die.
25:25 Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
25:26 If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and
give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.
